Zenith El Primero Skeleton Tribute To The Rolling Stones

When one of the most famous rock bands in the world love your watches (or when you could contract one of the most famous rock bands in the world), why not tribute some watches to them? The Zenith El Primero Skeleton Tribute To The Rolling Stones is the sixth model by Zenith (as far as we know) that tributes the legendary British rock band. Limited to 250 pieces.

Since the beginning of the Rolling Stones in 1962 several watch brands have launched Stones editions. Rolex and Seiko for instance. And individual band members, mainly Ronnie Wood, have their own models, however without the band’s logo.

For Zenith, it all begins in 2014. Zenith and the Rolling Stones start their partnership with the Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Tribute To The Rolling Stones watch (250 pieces, ref. 03.2048.4061/77.C496). In 2015 Zenith launches the second Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Tribute To The Rolling Stones (1,000 pieces, ref. 96.2260.4061/21.R575) with a dark grey dial. In the same year, Zenith launches a one-off for charity: the Zenith El Primero Striking 10th Lightweight Tribute To The Rolling Stones For Only Watch 2015.

From left to right (or top to bottom): Chronomaster 1969 in white, Chronomaster 1969 in dark grey, Striking 10th Lightweight, Pilot Type 20, Academy Christophe Colomb and El Primero Skeleton

Then, at the beginning of 2016, the Zenith Pilot Type 20 GMT Tribute to the Rolling Stones (100 pieces, ref. 87.2431.4054, or is it ref. 96.2435.693/97.C738?) appears on the market. In the first half of 2016 they launch the rather remarkable Zenith Academy Christophe Colomb Tribute To The Rolling Stones, costing about 250,000 US dollars or 220.000 Euro’s (only 5 pieces, ref. 18.2213.8804/55.C713). And now this skeletonized model with the Big Red Tongue, the famous Stones “Tongue and Lip Design” logo created in 1970 by the English art designer John Pasche.

The Zenith El Primero Skeleton Tribute To The Rolling Stones has a rotating tongue, really

Although all aforementioned models are special, this one has something extra. The tongue moves every second, making a 360 every minute. As it is attached on a disc connected to the small seconds mechanism. With some imagination, it’s a vinyl record spinning on a turntable. Other Stones features (which can be found on the former models as well) are the hands. They are shaped like the neck of a 1950s Fender Telecaster model, an electric guitar Keith Richards plays.

Of course, the movement is the El Primero caliber 400B with column-wheel chronograph and a power-reserve of 50 hours. The 45-millimeter case is black ceramic. Almost every part of the watch is black. Perhaps it is a reference to the Stones’ world-famous song “Paint It Black”. In 1966 Mick Jagger already sings “No colors anymore, I want them to turn black”.